Connecting device.



J. W. LAWHEAD.

CONNECTING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED we. 12. 1910.

Patented July 25, 1911.

COLUMBIA PLANOOBAPH C0 WASHINGTON. D. C.

UNITE JAMES W. LAWHEAD, OF WILMINGTON, OHIO.

CONNECTING DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES W. LAWHEAD, a citizen of the United States,residing at lVilmington, in the county of Clinton and State of Ohio,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Connecting Devices,of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the improvement of connecting devices of thatclass which are adapted for use as hame connections or couplings, or forthe connection of other separated members, and the objects of myinvention are to provide an improved connecting device of simple andnovel construction by means of which two otherwise separated members maybe readily coupled or connected with each other and locked againstaccidental separation, and to produce other improvements the details ofwhich will be more fully pointed out hereinafter. These objects Iaccomplish in the manner illustrated in the accompanying drawing, inwhich Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved connection showing themembers thereof employed for the purpose of connecting two separatedstraps, Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section through the connectedmembers, showing the position of the straps in dotted lines, Fig. 3 is adetail View in perspective of the members or sections of my device,showing the same in connected positions, and, Fig. 4 is a plan view ofone of the connecting members.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In carrying out my invention, I employ two separately formed connectingmembers or sections, one of which is indicated at 1 and which comprisesan oblong frame having slightly bowed or curved parallel side members 2and connecting end pieces 3 and 3. Between the side frame members 2toward those ends of said side frame pieces which are connected by thecross piece 8, I provide a cross or bra'ce rod 4: and between the latterand end piece 3 I form the inner side of each of the side pieces 2 witha plurality of laterally projecting pins or studs 5, the pins or studsof one of the side pieces 2 being in axial alinement with those of theopposing side piece.

6 represents the second and remaining section of my improved connectingdevice which consists of a yoke-like body, the parallel arms 6 of whichcurve forwardly Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. August 12, 1910.

Patented July 25, 1911.

Serial No. 576,902.

and downwardly and terminate in outwardly extending members 6 which arepreferably slightly enlarged at their outer ends as indicated at 6.Between the clownwardly curved portions of the yoke arms 6 is a fixedtransverse rod or pin 7 and projecting from the opposite end of the yokebody 6 from that which is formed with the arms 6*, is a tongue or leverarm 8.

In connecting the two sections or members formed as described, it willbe understood that the strap ends or other members to be united orcoupled, are suitably connected by loop or otherwise with the bar or pin7 of the member 6 and the end piece 3 of the member 1. It is obvious,however, that the end piece 3 although shown as a transverse end rod,may be of any desired shape to facilitate the engagement therewith of astrap or other object.

In uniting the two connecting members, the lever or tongue 8 togetherwith the body of the member 6 is inserted or passed through the frame 1in front of the member 4- from beneath said frame. In this operation, itwill be understood that the outwardly projecting members 6 of the yokeframe, will engage the undersides of the side frame bars 2 of theconnecting section 1 and such engagement being effected, it is obviousthat the turning downward of the tongue 8 and body 6 to the positionsshown in the drawing, inay result in the arms of the yoke being boundbetween two opposing pins 5 and against the undersides of the side framepieces 2. In this position, it is evident that any outward pull on thestraps or other devices thus connected or coupled, must result inincreasing the binding action of the yoke arms with the pins and sideframe pieces of the member 1, thus insuring a securely locked connectionbetween the parts. It is obvious that a desirable adjustment in theconnection described, may be effected by changing the position of themember 6, so that its yoke arms 6 will bear against another pair of thepins 5.

Although the herein described connection, comprises sections of simpleconstruction which may be readily operated to connect or disconnectopposing objects, it is obvious that the construction of the parts issuch as to withstand great strain and prevent their being readilybroken.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that simple andefficient means are herein provided for accomplishing the objects of theinvention, but while the elements shown and described are well adaptedto serve the purposes for which they are intended, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the precise constructionset forth, but includes within its purview such changes as may be madewithin the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim, is h In a connecting device, the combination with a framemember comprising a pair of parallel side members bowed upwardly, atransverse pin arranged between said side members at each terminalthereof, one of said transverse pins adapted to have secured thereto astrap, a similarly arranged transverse pin arranged adjacent to saidlast named pin, and a plurality of pins projecting inwardly from eachside, said pins being oppositely disposed, of a second connecting membercomprising a curved U-shaped member having transverse pins at theterminals of the arms thereof, a connection between the arms of saidU-shaped member to which. a strap may be secured, and an operating levercarried by the base of said U-shaped member.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES W. LAVVHEAD. Witnesses:

O. W. HALE, W. F. LAWHEAD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

